(Dalrymple, John). Observations on a late publication entitled “Memoirs of Great-Britain, by Sir John Dalrymple,” in which some errors, misrepresentations, and the design of that compiler and his associates are detected. London: J. Almon, 1773. 4to (26 cm, 10.25"). 28, xx pp. $250.00

 This anonymous pamphlet is an attack on vol. I of the Memoirs of Great-Britain & Ireland from the Dissolution of the Last Parliament of Charles II (1771) by Sir John Dalrymple (1726–1810). “Illustrated by collections of state papers from Versailles and London, [these Memoirs] caused some sensation from their revelations as to the motives actuating some of the more eminent statesmen of that time” (DNB)—especially Lord Russell and Algernon Sydney. The second pagination sequence contains letters in support of the pamphlet, “From the Public Advertiser. March 5, 1773,” and a “List of books printed for J. Almon.”

 ESTC T12257. On Dalrymple, see: The Dictionary of National Biography, XIII, 424–25. Removed from a nonce volume; first and last pages soiled; 6-digit number rubber-stamped on title-page. Chipping in upper inner corners of first three leaves; shallow chipping and dog-earing to the whole, with soiling on the edges and corners. (7080)

A Defoe Tract?

(Defoe, Daniel?). The Duke of Anjou's succession further consider'd, as to the danger that may arise from it to Europe in general, but more particularly to England, and the several branches of our trade. Part II. London: Printed & sold by A. Baldwin, 1701. Small 4to (20.8 cm; 8.25"). [2] ff., 59, [1] pp.$100.00

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 The War of Spanish Succession (1701–14) was of great concern to Britain for if the Duke of Anjou ascended to the throne of Spain, the balance of power on the Continent and in European colonization worldwide would shift to the House of Bourbon. This treatise and its part-I predecessor are attributed by some to Daniel Defoe (cf. Bastian, Defoe's Early Life, p. 312), not listed by Moore or NCBEL.

This is one of four editions of this part all of which were printed in 1701, including a false-imprinted one done in Dublin.

 ESTC T035011; Goldsmiths' 3775; Knuttel 14605; Hanson, 50. Removed from a nonce volume. Inner margin of title-leaf with a small raggedly torn area and a bit of staining; age-toning, occasional foxing, and dust-soiling. Paper a bit fatigued. Only a “good” copy and priced accordingly. (36769)

 False imprint edition of Du Moulin's study of the episcopacy of the Church of England which dissects Joseph Hall's Episcopacy by Divine Right (1640). The final four leaves contains Omissa suo loco reponenda.”

A work of considerable significance for English canon law. There was another edition in 1641, without any place of printing specified, in 8vo format, and having 122 pages.

 Removed from a nonce volume, semicircular area torn from lower portion of the title-page costing two letters of the imprint. Old ownership inscriptions on title-page. Library stamps in lower margin of last page. (21014)

AnIrish Guideto England's Irish Statutes

Dutton, Matthew. An exact abridgment of all the publick printed Irish statutes of Queen Anne and King George, in force and use, to the end of the first session of this present parliament. Anno Dom. 1716. Dublin: James Carson, 1717. 4to (20.7 cm, 8.2"). [4], 263, [1], xv, [25] pp.$1250.00

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 Uncommon first edition: the “Scope and Intendment of every Paragraph” of the Irish statutes, designed to be of use both “those that have not, as those that have these Statutes at large” (p. [iii]). The author published several other studies of Irish law, including The Office and Authority of a Justice of Peace for Ireland, The Laws of Masters and Servants in Ireland (one of the earliest English-language works to focus on the field of labor law), and The Office and Authority of Sheriffs, Under-Sheriffs, Deputies, County-Clerks, and Coroners, in Ireland.

ESTC. COPAC, and WorldCat locateonly four U.S. institutional holdings, one in Ireland, and one in Britain, but we know of a copy at the Irish National Library that is not found in those databases.

Provenance: Title-page with inked inscription of Redmond Pursell (possibly Purcell), dated 1717; verso inscribed “Patt. Weldon his hand, dated May the 4th 1777,” with “Patr. Weldon, His Book” on the first preface page and another Pursell/Purcell inscription on the first text page.

 ESTC N31275. Modern leather old style with most of original covers laid down on the modern boards, spine with blind-tooled raised bands and gilt-stamped leather label; original leather worn and cracked. First few leaves with edges darkened/chipped and those fly-leaves with edge tears; title-page and preface margins repaired. Inked inscriptions as above, title-page additionally with later inked institutional shelf number and “withdrawn” note; fly-leaves with early inked calculations and budget notes; three instances of early inked marginalia and two printed shouldernotes with marks of emphasis. Pages age-toned with scattered small spots (a few signatures darkened or with more notable spotting), some corners bumped, smudges to last few leaves; one leaf with small hole with loss of seven letters. Solid, usable, and attractive on the shelf. (34133)

 First edition. An interesting political and social review, with much on “Christian duty.”

 NSTC 2E4979. Removed from a nonce volume. (11085)

“A True Relation of Every Dayes Proceeding”

England & Wales. Parliament. Proceedings. 1628. The diurnall occurrences of every dayes proceeding in Parliament since the beginning thereof, being Tuesday the twentieth of Ianuary, which ended the tenth of March. Anno Dom. 1628. With the arguments of the members of the House then assembled. London: Pr. by R.H. for William
Cooke, 1641. 4to (18.5 cm, 7.25"). [2], 77, [1] pp.$800.00

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 A record of debates and speeches from 20 January 1628 through 10 March 1628, along with some communications from Charles I. This publication and others like it marked the first time that reliable printed parliamentary news became widely and inexpensively available to the public; previously, manuscripts and unreliable illicit printings had been the only such reports obtainable.

There was much to report on regarding the proceedings of the 1628 Parliament, which was called only reluctantly by the King; the time period covered here includes extended discussion of the Petition of Right, of obvious interest during the lead-up to the English Civil War.

Evidence of readership: On the question of the “deplorable estate of the reformed Churches abroad,” the remark that “certainly fighting will doe them much more good than fasting” has been underlined in pencil and pointed out in the margin (p. 23).

 ESTC R2426; Wing (rev. ed.) E1526. Recent blue, brown, and tan marbled paper–covered boards, spine with printed paper label. Title-page with inked annotation: “in reign of Charles I”; recto with traces of partially effaced rubber-stamped numeral. Margins browned. An important record of public interest in the conflict between the King and Parliament. (36772)

Back &Forth:The Exclusion Crisis

England & Wales.Parliament. House of Commons. The humble address of the House of Commons, presented to His Majesty, upon Tuesday the 21th. day of December, 1680. In answer to His Majesties gracious speech to both houses of Parliament, upon the 15th. day of the same December. London: John Wright & Richard Chiswell, 1680. Folio (27.1 cm, 10.75"). [4], 133–43, [1] pp. [with] England & Wales.Sovereign (1660–1685: Charles II). His Majesties declaration to all his loving subjects, touching the causes & reasons that moved him to dissolve the two last parliaments. London: Pr. by the assigns of John Bill, Thomas Newcomb, & Henry Hills, 1681. Folio. 10, [2] pp. $675.00

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 First editions of two significant documents, one from Parliament and one from Charles II, regarding the furor over the Exclusion Bill. In the first work, the tone is indeed almost aggressively humble, as per the title, but the position is utterly unyielding: The Catholic Duke of York will not be accepted in the line of succession, as Charles II's life will (allegedly) be in constant, deadly danger as long as there is any possibility of “a Popish Successor” (p. 135). In response to the “Humble Address,” Charles dismissed the Parliament and called another, which also refused to do his bidding, after which he issued the second piece here — an attempt at justification which invokes the Fitzharris treason case.

Provenance: These two copies were joined together by a contemporary reader who marked the recto of the printing permission of the first piece with “The Address” and the verso of the permission of the second piece (that is, that piece's final page) with “The King's Declaration. This read in ye Parochial Church of Thrandeston May ye first Anno Domini 1681. [?] Tho. Mael.” Mael served as rector of Thrandeston from 1670 until his death in 1709.

 Humble Address: ESTC R228475; Nelson & Seccombe 647.49B. Declaration: Wing (rev. ed.) C3000; ESTC R13996. Disbound from a nonce volume. Pages slightly age-toned with scattered light spots; inscriptions as above. A nice pairing, from the library of a clergyman who presumably had a strong interest in the outcome of the struggle. (31090)

“
We Are NowGot throughThisHeap
of Scandal ”

(England
— Politics & Religion). A letter to the author of the
Memorial of the State of England, answer’d paragraph by paragraph. London,
1706. 8vo (20.5 cm, 8.1"). 44 pp.$400.00

 First edition of this entry in a protracted debate: An anonymous
letter (generally attributed to William Stephens), written in response to John
Toland’s Memorial, is here dissected, with extensive quotations
provided from the letter. Among other questions raised regarding the contemporary
state of politics is whether religious tolerance should be extended to all regardless
of political dominance, or only to those who themselves advocated it while in
power. This
is one of those guys who would be blogging, today.

 ESTC N3245. Recent, slate-grey light boards. Title-page with
numeric stamp and with number inked in lower margin by an early hand. Edges
untrimmed; some light staining.

 Oranges, Pinks (members of the Pinkey faction), and Blues compete at the polls in this very uncommon broadside. Sir James Robert Graham, who had a long and distinguished career as a statesman, was elected at Hull in 1818, although two years later he concluded he could not afford reelection and instead gained a seat at St. Ives in Cornwall. Here the popularity of our candidate’s views on taxation is described, as well as the difficult fight that “Orange Graham” faced when his victory was challenged—the lawyers “pair’d him and carv’d him and now in a trice, / They cut off forty-nine of his votes at a slice”—proving that controversial post-election assessment of votes is hardly a recent phenomenon!

There were American versions of “Humphrey Bluster” letters; in 1818 two such items respecting the Boston election were printed. At this writing RLIN, OCLC, and NUC Pre-1956list no holdings of the present, Anglo Bluster.

 Not in NSTC. On Graham, see: The Dictionary of National Biography, XXII, 328–32. Creased, with corners bent, otherwise good. A few early, lightly inked marginalia. (5120)

 Satiric verse mocking fashionable English dress, accompanied by a political satire addressed to Christopher Pinchbeck which includes the lines “Haste then, and quash the hot Turmoil, / That flames inBoston’s angry Soil . . .” The first work is here in its first edition, while the second is likely an early printing.

 Venus: ESTC T73277; Ode: ESTC T41985 (first ed.). Recent marbled paper–covered boards, spine with printed paper label. Second work lacking half-title and title-page. Inner margins of two leaves reinforced; last line of advertising page shaved. Title-page and last few leaves with moderate foxing; one page (not the title) stamped by a now-defunct institution, with some offsetting to opposing page. (5875)

Episcopal Church in Scotland. The declinator and protestation of the archbishops and bishops, of the Church of Scotland, and others their adherents within that kingdome, against the pretended generall Assembly holden at Glasgow Novemb. 21. 1638. London: Pr. by John Ravvorth, for George Thomason & Octavian Pullen,, 1639. Small 4to. [1] f., 33, [1 (blank)] pp.$750.00

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 The bishops and archbishops acknowledge that there are there are “evils,” and “distractions” that need attention, and that lawfully called assemblies can properly address such issues, and that it is the king's prerogative to call such assemblies. There is a big HOWEVER, however. They contend that the named assembly meeting in Glasgow was illegal and present their arguments.

This work appeared with three different title-pages and there are even internal differences. In this copy the setting of quire B has line B3v with “Deliberations” spelled with the capital letter “D.”

 STC (rev ed.) 22058; ESTC S116980. Removed from a nonce volume and in modern wrappers. First and last pages dust-soiled; tea (?) stain to last leaf. Ex-library with the not unattractive stamp of the Union Theological Seminary on the verso of the title and in the bottom margin of the last text page. Blank area of foremargin of B4 torn with loss. In modern wrappers. (21000)

Fletcher, Henry. The perfect politician: or, A full view of the life and actions (military and civil) ofO. Cromwel. Whereunto is added his character; and a compleat catalogue of all the honours conferr’d by him on several persons. London: printed by J. Cottrel, for William Roybould at the Unicorn, and Henry Fletcher at the three Gilt Cups in St Paul’s Church-yard, 1660. Small 8vo (13.5 cm; 5.25"). [4] ff., 459 [i.e., 359, [1] pp., port. in facsimile.$750.00

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 Published anonymously and often attributed to Fletcher and occasionally to William Raybould, this is one of three editions printed in 1660, the first year of the work's printing. It sometimes later appeared under the variant title A Full View of the Life and Actions (military and civil) of Oliver Cromwel.

In addition to telling of Cromwell's political life and his wars in Ireland, Scotland, and England, this offers a section on the Protectorate that has much to say about his policies and military actions in the Caribbean, especially the taking ofJamaica from Spain.

The title-page is printed in black and red and this copy retains the vertical half-title on A1r, “O. Cromwel’s Life.”

Provenance: Pacific School of Religion (properly deaccessioned).

 ESTC R18473; Wing (rev. ed.) F1334. 19th-century quarter leather, binding much rubbed and abraded; lacks the portrait, supplied in facsimile. Age-toned; title-leaf and another leaf with an old cello-tape repair and resulting staining, last leaf torn in upper outer corner with small loss of a few letters. Top margins of some leaves trimmed with loss of page numbers and running heads; other leaves trimmed into heads and pages numbers. Priced for its faults. (36184)

 First American edition. Written by a popular author known for her winning, sprightly style, this novel intertwines romance and Christian faith with greed and the convolutions of English politics — two of the four having predictably detrimental effects. The secondary moral of the story is “Marry an intelligent person or be prepared to suffer the consequences.”

Binding: Signed binding, marked “DD” for Decorative Designers: navy cloth, front cover and spine stamped with Art Nouveau–inspired pomegranate and leaf motif in green and with title in gilt.

 Binding as above; extremities very lightly rubbed with all gilt and stamping bright. Front free endpaper with early inked ownership inscription. Pages very faintly age-toned with a few scattered spots, generally clean. A decidedly pretty copy of an interesting look at early 20th-century social mores regarding love, religion, and ambition. (35619)

Gruesome Deaths,Horrible Tortures,Painful Fascination

Foxe, John, & Samuel Foxe. Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the church, with a universal historie of the same. Wherein is set forth at large, the whole race and course of the church, from the primitive age to these later times of ours, with the bloody times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions against the true martyrs of Christ, fought and wrought as well by heathen emperors, as now lately practiced by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Now again, as it was recognised, perused, and recommended to the studious reader. London: Printed for the Company of Stationers, 1641. Large folio. 3 vols. I: Engr. frontis. port., [74] ff., 1033 [i.e. 1023], [1] p., [2] ff. of plates (one large, engr. folding). II: [19] ff., 788 [i.e., 786] pp., [1] f. (fold. plate). III: [2] ff., 1030 [i.e., 1020] pp., [7] ff., 106 [i.e., 108] pp., [48] ff., [2] ff. of plates. (Without the half-titles).$7500.00

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 English printing of the 1640s was very much at a nadir as to quality of illustration and presentation of text on the page: Remarkably, this multi-volume, large-format edition of Foxe's “Book of Martyrs” (as it is generally known) offers very good levels of illustration, composition, and imposition of type. It is printed in double-column format on high quality paper, in mostly gothic type (i.e., “black letter”) with some roman and italic. The woodcut illustrations are at once charmingly naive and arresting in both their simplicity and their ability to convey the artists' intentions, with a few of the142 in-text woodcuts or initials lookingquite remarkably modern. There are 37 in-text woodcuts, one very largehistoriated woodcut initial showing Elizabeth splendidly enthroned, one woodcut plate, and onehuge engraved folding plate showing a grand variety of martyrdoms in vol. I; 29 in-text woodcuts and two woodcut plates (one folding) in vol. II; and 76 in-text woodcuts and two woodcut plates in vol. III. The engraved plate in vol. I is by George Glover and he has signed one of the large woodcuts as well; at least one other woodcut is signed by another artist, John Droeshout.

This was clearly a luxury production.

It was on 20 March 1563 that the first edition of Actes and Monuments appeared, and it was an immediate success. A second, corrected, edition appeared in 1570; many subsequent editions were issued; and the text is still being published in the 21st century. It is without a doubt the best-known English work of martyrology.

This edition containsthe first printing of Simeon Foxe's biography of his father, the author; it was written in 1611 but not published for thirty years.

Provenance: Round ownership stamp of “Iltyd Nicholl” on the fly-leaves. Later in the collections of the Pacific School of Religion (properly released), though without its usual markings; small bookseller's label of “John Howell Importer” on rear pastedowns.

 Wing (rev. ed.) F2035; ESTC R29862; Graesse, II, 623. Late 18th-century acid-mottled calf, Cambridge-style binding, rebacked with original gilt-extra spine reattached. Covers tooled in blind to form concentric panels, one panel with corner devices; edges of covers tooled in gilt with a roll, board-edges tooled in gilt with a different roll, and turn-ins tooled in blind with yet another roll. Marbled endpapers of a combed pattern. All edges carmine. As usual, without the half-titles; each volume with a stamped number on verso of title-page; ownership indications as above. Vol. I with title-leaf subtly reinforced at fore-edge (with a limited number of other such subtle repairs to be found scattered in the set), slim wormtracks to a few lower margins, last leaf backed, and large folding plate backed with top line of text a little faded/abraded; vol. II with a natural paper flaw or two and folding plate backed; vol. III with very faint signs of old dampstaining to some top margins; otherwise, only the most occasional spot or smear to suggest age and use. Clean and crisp. (34242)

Foyer, Archibald, supposed author. A defence of the Scots settlement at Darien. With an answer to the Spanish memorial against it. And arguments to prove that it is the interest of England to join with the Scots, and protect it. To which is added, a description of the country, and a particular account of the Scots colony. No place [Edinburgh?]: No publisher/printer, 1699. Small 4to (20 cm; 8"). [2] ff., 60 pp.$1250.00

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 As the 1690s wound down the lords and and burghers of Scotland dreamed of an overseas empire such as Spain, England, Portugal, and the Dutch had, and to this end came into existence the Company of Scotland for Trading to Africa and the Indies. Chartered in 1695 and with a coffer of some £400,000, it established a colony (“Darien”) onthe Caribbean coast of what is now Panama, a worse location being hard to conceive. Even today that site is virtually uninhabited.

Trouble plagued the enterprise from the arrival of the first Scots in 1698 and it fairly shortly collapsed for lack of supplies, malaria, other diseases, internal dissension, a nonexistent trading base, and the might of the Spanish military in the region. The wreck of the scheme led to an economic crisis at home which in turn helped enable the 1707 Act of Unification.

The vast bulk of this work attempts to convince the English to support the Scots' enterprise and cites political, religious, social, and economic reasons for doing so; clearly, the Scots knew that English naval might in particular would be essential for the success of the scheme. Beyond this, however, a section (pp. 42 to 51) addresses the natural history, native population, agricultural commodities, and indigenous industry of the region; and the work ends with an account of the Scots' settlement, the buildings erected there, and its intercourse with the indigenous people.

Authorship of this work is problematic: It is signed “Philo-Caledon” at the end of the dedication and three other names have have been proposed as possible authors in addition to Foyer's — George Ridpath, Andrew Fletcher, and John Hamilton (2nd Baron Belhaven). Added to the conundrum of authorship, the work was produced in four editions in the same year, each having different numbers of pages, each with a different signature scheme, none with a publisher, and this one without even a place of publication!

 Wing (rev. ed.) F2047; Sabin 78211; Alden & Landis 699/9; ESTC R18505 ; and Halkett & Laing II:32. 20th-century half dark brown crushed morocco with brown linen sides. This copy has all the hallmarks of having once been through a British bookseller's “hospital”: all leaves are dust-soiled or age-toned; all leaves are uncut but some have been extended and others not, and some leaves with torn margins (but not all) have had lost paper restored; all such repairs and extensions are within the first six leaves, meaning these were probably supplied from another copy. Top of title-leaf trimmed with loss of “A” of the title; another leaf with a tear to the top margin with loss costing tops of several letters of words on one page, and two leaves with the running head guillotined by a binder; some stray stains.An interesting copy for its probable if problematic history and condition. (34130)

 A classic of Catholic contemplative reading, here inan edition specially commissioned by King James II for the use of his household. Based on a series of letters de Sales sent to his cousin Marie de Charmoisy, the Introduction was first published in 1609; its printing in England, first in 1617 and in subsequent years, was predictably complicated depending on the tenor of the times. In fact in 1637 an act was passed calling in all copies so they could bepublicly burnt!

This edition opens with an engraved frontispiece of the saint in his role as humble priest, includes a summary of his life and a collection of his “choicest Maxims,” and closes with “The Communication of Doctor Thaulerus with a Poor Beggar.”

Uncommon: WorldCat and ESTC locate only nine U.S. institutional holdings of this royal edition.

 Clancy, English Catholic Books 1641–1700, 391; ESTC R177248; Wing (rev. ed.) F2071. Contemporary mottled calf framed in double gilt fillets, rebacked with similar calf, spine with gilt-stamped leather title-label and gilt-ruled raised bands; original leather scuffed, edges rubbed. Light pencilled marks of emphasis throughout and a very few inked marks; back free endpaper once with decorative pencilled title, now largely erased. Frontispiece neatly mounted (caption excised), darkened and cockled but still quite attractive; title-page with small “loop: of old ink, pages with occasional smudges. A solid and pleasantly serviceable copy of a desirable printing. (36977)

A Popular Editionfrom aSurreptitious Manuscript Copy

Franklin, Benjamin. The works of the late Dr. Benjamin Franklin; consisting of his Life, written by himself. Together with essays, humorous, moral, and literary, chiefly in the manner of the Spectator. Philadelphia: Wm. W. Woodward, 1801. 12mo (16.7 cm, 6.6"). Frontis., 321, [11] pp.$700.00

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 Early American edition of the “unofficial” but extremely popular Life, re-translated into English from the French publication and released despite William Temple Franklin's attempts to suppress any version other than his own. This example comprises two volumes in one, opening with an engraved portrait of Franklin signed by Tanner andfeaturing an addition “not in any other Edition,” according to the title-page: “An Examination, before the British House of Lords, respecting the Stamp-Act.” At the back are a six-page list of subscribers and four pages of advertisements for Woodward publications.

 Sabin 25602; Shaw & Shoemaker 515. On Temple Franklin and early editions, see: Green & Stallybrass, Franklin,151–60. Contemporary treed sheep, spine with gilt-stamped leather title-label; spine extremities a little chipped, front cover a little sprung, hinges (inside) reinforced. Frontispiece and title-page tattered and now mounted, with outer margin of first preface page repaired; a number of corners bumped or dog-eared, with a few in one section at some point delicately rodent(?)-nibbled. Subscribers' list trimmed closely, affecting two names only; pages age-toned with intermittent foxing. In fact, though certainly not “excellent”  quite “satisfactory.” (25357)

 A very opinionated autobiography recounting Frewen's numerous adventures throughout England, the United States, Egypt, the Balkans, and India, from his childhood as part of the English gentry to tales of bison used as snow plows in the Wyoming Territory. Howes notes ten chapters are dedicated to Frewen's “disastrous cattle enterprise on Powder river.”

While suffering from financial difficulties throughout his life, Frewen continually worked with influential people, many of whom are here discussed in detail, including his wife Clara Jerome, aunt of Winston Churchill. One way and another there is plenty of huntin', shootin', and fishin'; and there are plenty of politics.

Provenance: A tantalizing “Wealdside 1924” in ink on the front pastedown. The Weald is of course of huge extent, and there are therefore potentially a number of possible “Wealdsides”; but it is notable that the Frewen family dates back to Elizabethan times in East Sussex — and, perhaps, that Moreton Frewen died in 1924.

 Howes F380; Graff 1442. Light green publisher's cloth, cover ruled and lettered in black, spine and back also stamped in black; gently rubbed and text slightly cocked, with a thumbnail-sized pink stain along the edge of the back cover and speckling the bottom edge. Light age-toning with offsetting to fly-leaves; inscription as noted. A good read in a good solid copy. (37037)

 First U.S. edition, “authorized version as published by the British Government”: The Prime Minister summarizes England's conditions for peace. Laid in is a printed slip “With the compliments of Professor W. Macneile Dixon (University of Glasgow).”

 Dublin first edition, printed in the same year as the London first.
With this work, Gillies (1747–1836) — later the Royal Historiographer
of Scotland — became one of the earliest British classicists to examine
Greek
history from a political perspective, in this case Whiggish.
The volumes are illustrated with two oversized, folding maps depicting Greece
and its colonies.

 ESTC N7592; Allibone 672; Brunet, II, 1599. On Gillies, see:
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online. Contemporary
calf, spines with nice gilt-stamped leather title and volume labels; joints
cracked or open, corners/edges rubbed, spine with tips chipped and leather
cracked. Ex–social club library: old shelving labels at spine heads
extending onto sides, 19th-century bookplates, call numbers on endpapers,
title-pages pressure-stamped. Vols. I and III with front free endpaper lacking;
vol. I map with short tear along one fold and slightly longer tear from inner
margin, extending into image. Intermittent light spotting; a few leaves age-toned.
Vol. II with a few small, early ink blotches. All volumes with typical offsetting
to early and late leaves from binding's turn-ins. Indeed a set nicer to contemplate,
outside and inside, than our description must suggest. (27644)

“AndBe It Further Enacted,”&“Provided Always, That”. . .

Great Britain. Laws, statutes, etc. A collection of the several statutes and parts of statutes now in force, relating to High treason, and misprision of high treason. London: Pr. by Charles Bill, & the Executrix of Thomas Newcomb, 1709. 12mo (15.5 cm; 6.125"). 113, [1] pp., [7] ff.; 44 pp., [2] ff.$500.00

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 Publication of this treatise on high treason followed hard on the heels of the Treason Act 1708 (7 Ann c 21), by which Parliament “harmonized” the laws of high treason in “Great Britain” following the union in 1707 of England and Scotland, each of which had different and sometimes quite distinct concepts of “high treason.”

The final part of this small volume bears a title-page reading “A form and method of trial of commoners, in cases of high treason, and misprision of high treason,” with the same imprint information at the main title. (Awoman tried and convicted, seeking a stay of execution because pregnant, may pray “a Jury of [12] Matrons or Motherly Women” confirm and attest the same; other data are equally particular and evocative.) While the pagination and signature markings of this final part are not continuous from A collection of several statutes, it is clear that the “two” were printed as a whole and are not separate works, although they are sometimes catalogued as if they were and are even sometimes sold as such.

Printed mostly in roman type with some italic, this has headings in gothic and some long passages also in gothic.

Provenance:18th-century ownership signatures at top of main title-page of J.W. Tarleton and J. Skynner (both lined through), and 19th-century signature of Wm. Saunders. Oldham Free Public Library (Lancs.) stamp on verso of same.

Great Britain.Commissioners on the Fine Arts. Report of the Commissioners on the Fine Arts, with appendices; and a critical introduction. By command of Her Majesty. London: James Gilbert, 1842. 8vo (20 cm, 7.875" ). x, 37, [1] pp. $150.00

 Prince Albert headed this committee set up by the Queen to decorate the new Houses of Parliament: The report examines the feasibility of ordering murals in fresco compatible with the architecture and style of the building. This is the first of at least five such reports issued between 1842 and 1846.

Rare: We trace no U.S. copies of this work via NUC Pre-1956, OCLC, or RLIN, nor is it in NSTC

Great Britain.Exchequer. Ireland. Accounts and papers, presented to the House of Commons, respecting the increase or diminution of salaries, &c. &c. in the public offices of Ireland, for the years 1801 and 1802. [London, 1803]. Folio (33 cm, 13"). 31, [1 (blank)] pp.$250.00

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 Charts and letters documenting salaries of public officials and functionaries in Ireland.

Great Britain. Parliament. A true and exact list of the lords spiritual and temporal, also of the knights[,] commissioners of shires, citizens and burgesses, chosen to serve in the Parliament of Great Britain. [London], 1741. 8vo (19.7 cm, 7.75"). 16 pp.$500.00

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 Register prepared for the 1741 general election, with notations regarding how M.P.s voted on the Convention and on Walpole’s proposed Excise Bill (a tax on tobacco and wine). The current U.K. Parliament website sums up the terms thusly: “The Lords Spiritual are made up of the Archbishops of Canterbury and of York, the Bishops of London, Durham and Winchester as well as specific bishops of the Church of England. The Lords Temporal are made up of Hereditary Peers elected under Standing Orders, Life Peers, Law Lords, the earl Marshal and the Lord Great Chamberlain.”

Uncommon: ESTC locates only four copies, none of which are in the U.S.

Great Britain. Parliament. A report from the commissioners appointed to take, examine and state the publick accompts of the kingdom. [London]: 1703 [i.e., 1713]. 8vo (17.9 cm, 7.25"). [1] f., 104 pp.$250.00

 Report of the commission appointed at the end of the War of the Spanish Succession to examine the finances of the United Kingdom following the war and the recent union of Scotland and England (1707). Also included is A Report from the Commissioners Appointed to Take, Examine and Determine the Debts Due to the Army, &c. with its own sectional title-page dated 1713. First of two editions, also printed 1714.

This is less dry than might seem, with notes being present as to which officials’ accountings were in revolting disarray, as to what bakers were scamming Navy purchasing officers, how much was spent on what at military hospitals—etc.

Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Accounts, presented to the House of Commons, respecting the importation of flax seed, the exportation of linen, and the importation and exportation of corn, grain, meal, &c. into and from Ireland, at certain periods. [London, 1804]. Folio (32.5 cm, 12.75"). 7, [1 (blank)] pp.$275.00

 Government document 49, “Ordered to be printed 5th April 1804”: Charts of certain Irish imports and exports 1799–1803.

 Removed from a nonce volume, now in a Mylar folder; sewing gone. Title-page stamped by a now-defunct institution, with small area of offsetting to inner upper margin. Pages with small edge chips. (17288)

Balance = £ 39,329 s. 18 d. 8 1/2

Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Accounts, presented to the House of Commons, respecting the issue of money from the treasury of Ireland. [London, 1802]. Folio (32.5 cm, 12.75"). 5, [1 (blank)] pp.$275.00

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 Government document, “Ordered to be printed 28th May 1802”: Account of the state of the Irish treasury as of 5 January 1802.

 Not in NSTC. Removed from a nonce volume, now in a Mylar folder; sewing gone. Title-page with area of offsetting to upper inner margin, else clean. (17275)

Bank of Ireland Accounts — The National Debt

Great Britain.Parliament. House of Commons. Account of the commissioners for the reduction of the national debt, of all sums which have been paid to the Bank of Ireland on their account, and of all debentures or stock which have been redeemed or purchased by them. [London, 1803]. Folio (32.5 cm, 12.75"). 17, [1] pp.$275.00

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 Government document, “Ordered to be printed 29th March 1803”: Charts of Bank of Ireland transactions in 1802.

 Removed from a nonce volume, now in a Mylar folder; sewing gone. One page (not the title) stamped by a now-defunct institution, else clean. (17287)

Rewards&Reimbursements

Great Britain.Parliament. House of Commons. Papers presented to the House of Commons respecting payments made by the government of Ireland, at Par, to all persons in and from Ireland, since the union. [London, 1804]. Folio (32.5 cm, 12.75"). 14 pp.$275.00

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 Government document 37, “Ordered to be printed 26th March 1804”: An account of payments, salaries, pensions, and pay advances given out by Ireland between 1801 and 1804.

 Removed from a nonce volume, now in a Mylar folder; sewing gone. Title-page and last page each with area of offsetting in upper inner margin; last page with offsetting from a rubber-stamp to outer margin. (17286)

Sadness
&Screw-Ups

Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Papers, presented to the House of Commons, respecting arrears of duties transferred to the insolvent list; the recovery of surcharges on excise duties; the taxes on hearths, carriages, servants, and windows, not being collected in due time; balances of dismissed and deceased collectors; &c. of Ireland. [London, 1804]. Folio (32.5 cm, 12.75"). 18 pp.$275.00

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 Government document 181, “Ordered to be printed 10th July 1804”: Letters regarding Irish treasury proceedings, sent by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, the Solicitor of Excise, and others.

 Removed from a nonce volume, now in a Mylar folder; sewing gone. Moderate foxing to first and last few leaves. (17276)

He Never Again Held Office

Great Britain.Parliament. House of Commons. Report from committee appointed to draw up articles of impeachment against Henry Lord Viscount Melville. [London, 1805]. Folio (32.5 cm, 12.75"). 11, [1 (blank)] pp.$250.00

 Government document 206, “Ordered to be printed 4th July 1805”: Account of the charges brought against Henry Dundas, first Viscount Melville, for misuse of funds in his role as Treasurer of the Navy. The impeachment was actually done as a favor to Melville, whose friends feared that a juried trial would go worse for him; this report gives extensive details regarding the missing sums of money.

 NSTC ENG830. Removed from a nonce volume, now in a Mylar folder; sewing gone. Page edges slightly darkened, with occasional small edge chips; title-page dust-soiled. Two leaves with short tears from inner margins, just touching text on one leaf. (17289)

How Much Were theTownley Marbles Worth?

Great Britain.Parliament. House of Commons. Report from the committee to whom the petition of the trustees of the British Museum, respecting the late Mr. Townley’s collection of ancient sculptured marbles, was referred. [London, 1805]. Folio (32.5 cm, 12.75"). 8 pp. $250.00

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 Government document 172, “Ordered to be printed 19th June 1805.” This scarce discussion of the British Museum’s proposed acquisition of a significant collection of classical sculpture includes several contemporary assessments of the value of Townley’s marbles — which did indeed go to the museum later in the year of this item’s publication. John Flaxman was one of those expressing an opinion of the trove; he says that he has “paid a great deal of attention to it as a Sculptor” and believes it to be “richly worth” the sum of £20,000.

RLIN and OCLC report only one holding of this item in the U.S.

 Not in NSTC. Removed from a nonce volume, now in a Mylar folder; title-page and final blank lightly dust-soiled. Sewing mostly gone. Title-page with short tear from inner margin, not touching text; some leaves with small edge chips. (17274)

Intricately Informative

Great Britain.Treaties, etc., 1760-1820 (George III). The official correspondence between Great Britain and France, on the subject of the late negotiation; with His Majesty’s declaration, to which is prefixed, the preliminary and definitive treaties of peace; with an appendix containing Colonel Sebastiani’s report to the First Consul, &c. &c. London: Pr. by D.N. Shury for J. Ginger, 1803. 8vo (21.5 cm, 8.5"). [6], [3]–159, [1], xlv, [1 (blank)] pp.$250.00

 Third edition, following two previous 1803 printings: Record of the short-lived attempt at peace made in 1802 with the Treaty of Amiens.

 NSTC ENG385. Recent paper wrappers. Title-page with rubber-stamped numeral and shadows of now-absent pencilled annotations. Three leaves with upper outer corners torn off and reattached/repaired without loss of sense. A few faint spots of foxing to title-page, otherwise clean. (18733)

 The testimony from Bedlow's examination was “taken in his last sickness, by Sir Francis North, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.” Also included here are “the narrative of Sir Francis North, at the council board, and the letter of Sir Francis North to Mr. Secretary Jenkins, relating to this examination.”